Chamomile is a fairly familiar herb to many, because of its use in chamomile tea. The herb grows into 1 to 2 foot tall bushes, or as a sprawling ground cover, with white and yellow flowers that attract pollinators to the area. Chamomile also may have some sedative qualities; hence it’s popularity as an ingredient in the stress-relieving tea that carries its name. Chamomile is a great additional to home gardens as a border plant because of its poor soil quality tolerance.

So you’ve decided to plant chamomile in your garden? According to our research on chamomile, you can plant anything nearby!

When planting chamomile in a home garden, the main decision factor for location is the amount of sun that the plant will receive. In warmer climates, plant your chamomile in partial shade, but in more moderate areas, full sun will help your chamomile produce lots of vibrant flowers. Like most other herbs, once the chamomile is established, it requires little to no care during its growth period. Chamomile’s strong scent is said to deter pests, making chamomile act as a “guard” for your home garden.

Harvesting your chamomile can occur at any time when the flowers are fully open. If making tea from your crop, the leaves may also be used. In some instances, the tea can come out very bitter. Try leaving the flowers out to dry a bit longer before brewing the next batch of tea. It’s good practice to also leave some clipping from your chamomile in the garden, as it produces calcium, magnesium and potassium for the plant and it’s surrounding companions.